FULL PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED

Free online webinar to explore research on the ethical implications of AI Hype, by We and AI on 23th Sep 2024

*** Explores the overinflation and misrepresentation of AI capabilities, featuring insights from over 30 experts across various disciplines.
*** Examines AI hype’s impact on public discourse, policy, business, and more.

**** Hosted by We and AI, a nonprofit focused on AI literacy for critical thinking.

[London, 2024.09.09]: We and AI, a nonprofit organisation committed to enabling AI literacy for critical thinking, announces an upcoming research seminar titled “The Ethical Implications of AI Hype.” This event will take place on [Monday, September 23] at [Online (12:00 PM – 4:30 PM UTC)], offering a platform for critical discussions on the overinflation and misrepresentation of AI capabilities and performance.

What Is The Event About

In a world increasingly influenced by the use of artificial intelligence technologies, accurately understanding the current and potential impact is essential. A new collection of 20 research and articles shows how hype narratives and techniques interfere with abilities to develop the necessary information for appropriate decision making about AI use across a range of industries and interest groups. The webinar is a symposium of over 30 authors, professional researchers and experts who contributed to this AI and Ethics Journal’s collection of new research and articles. It is the first dedicated to defining and examining the phenomenon of AI hype and its ethical impacts from a wide range of perspectives.

Why It Is Important
Alongside the surge in excitement about the availability and potential of new AI technologies, exaggerated claims can mislead the public, businesses, and policymakers, creating unrealistic expectations and influencing critical decisions without a solid understanding of AI’s true potential and limitations. As AI technology evolves faster than regulatory frameworks and public comprehension, it’s crucial to communicate its capabilities accurately. Misrepresentation not only distorts perceptions but also poses ethical challenges, affecting everything from investment decisions to policy-making. This webinar aims to address these issues by fostering informed and responsible discussions about AI.

Example of some authors and the angles they will be covering:

• “The Global Impact of AI Hype”  [Panel Discussion]:
  Led by Professor Kevin LaGrandeur from the University of Vermont, alongside a distinguished panel including Alva Markelius, Natalie Delille, Connor Wright, and Joahna Kuiper, the discussion will delve into the potential benefits and challenges posed by the exaggerated claims often associated with artificial intelligence- how it manifests, its historical roots, and its societal and environmental consequences. The panellists, each bringing a unique perspective and expertise ranging from AI ethics and social impact to responsible AI strategy, will explore ways to address and mitigate the effects of AI hype, aiming to foster a more realistic and beneficial adoption of AI innovations.
  
• “AI Hype as a Cyber Security Risk: The Responsibility of Implementing GenAI” [Interview]:
  Dr Declan Humphreys is interviewed by Medina Bakayara, and they explore impact that hype has on the ethical and cybersecurity challenges of adopting generative AI in business. The discussion highlights risks like data poisoning and sensitive information leaks. It underscores the need for ethical principles to guide AI use and warns against overreliance on AI outputs, which can lead to poor decision-making and data security concerns. Ethical principles such as beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, autonomy, and explicability are crucial in guiding the responsible use of AI technologies.
  
• “AI Hype – Where Do We Go From Here?”  [Panel Discussion]:
  This panel brings together leading experts to reflect on AI narratives and their implications. Professor Dagmar Monett and Gilbert Paquet will discuss their insights on generative AI hype in education. Joining them are Dr Kerry McInerny, Dr Nirit Weiss-Blatt, and Dr Shyam Krishna, who will explore gaps in AI discourse and the need for globally responsible AI narratives. The panel will offer advice on advocating for transparent communication and responsible AI practices, concluding with suggested resources for further exploration.
  

Event Agenda & Format

The event incorporates a range of session formats, including presentations from authors, interviews, panel discussions, group discussions, and Q&A sessions. 

Experts can be reached after the event via We and AI or during the event on the event platform, and further engagement opportunities can be provided.

For a full event agenda and speaker profiles please refer to the event programme.

Book Now

“One of the major problems we’re seeing right now in the AI industry is the overpromising of what AI tools can actually do. I think to some extent we’re starting to see greater reticence on the part of buyers who’ve been promised AI tools that simply fail to live up to expectations.”
– Dr Kerry McInerney, Senior Research Fellow at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence at the University of Cambridge, and Research Fellow at the AI Now Institute

“Enthusiasm can be necessary for innovation and problem solving, but what these research articles show is how AI is talked about often goes beyond excitement and into the realms of misrepresentation and misdirection. Misleading framing and language, deterministic narratives (negative and positive), and performance claims all impede people’s ability to think critically about when, how, and under what circumstances AI should be used.” – Tania Duarte, Lead Guest Editor for the AI and Ethics Journal’s Collection on The Ethical Implicatons of AI Hype, and Founder of We and AI

The event is organised by We and AI, a nonprofit focused on AI literacy for critical thinking. It will take place online on Monday, September 23, between 12:00 PM and 4:30 PM GMT. Places can be booked at https://bit.ly/3WQRdTD.

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About We and AI

We and AI is a non-profit organisation dedicated to encouraging, enabling, and empowering critical thinking about AI. We provide accessible AI literacy advice and materials to support people in navigating AI narratives and making informed decisions about how to live with AI in line with their values and interests. We aim to increase the diversity of people meaningfully involved in decision making about how and when AI is designed and used. Our projects include the global Better Images of AI (https://betterimagesofai.org/images) and the Living with AI online course (https://learn.thedatalab.com/browse/scottishai/courses/living-with-ai)

About the AI and Ethics Journal 

The AI and Ethics Journal aims to foster informed debate on the ethical, regulatory, and policy implications of AI development. It focuses on the evolution of AI techniques, tools, and technologies, exploring their future trajectories. The journal serves as a platform for academics, scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and the public to examine AI’s potential impact on society, considering its benefits, risks, and implications. Special attention is given to the potential misuse of AI, such as weaponization, bias in facial recognition, and discrimination related to race and gender.

Further information

Please contact hello@weandai.org.

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